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Biomedical subjects

W L Harrison

Publications and source records attributed to W L Harrison.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1981

Pilferage of controlled substances in hospitals.

The incidence of pilferage of controlled substances and the systems of monitoring and surveillance of controlled substances in hospitals were studied. A questionnaire was mailed to a random samples of 285 pharmacy directors in short-term medical and surgical hospitals nationwide. Of the 162 respondents, 103 (64%) reported at least one documented or suspected case of pilferage in the past year. These 103 hospitals reported 352 separate incidence of controlled substances theft involving 11,285 dosage units. Drug diversion occurred in 76% of the hospitals with more than 100 beds and in only 28% of the hospitals with less than 100 beds. Nurses were implicated in 69% of the incidents; pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in 12%; housekeeping personnel in 4.7%; unit-ward clerks in 3.5%; and physicians in 2.4%. These incidents most frequency involved: meperidine, morphine, cocaine, oxycodone, hydromorphone, propoxyphene, pentazocine, diazepam, and codeine products. Larger hospitals, those with more frequent inventory audits, those that disperse controlled substances throughout their drug stock, and those that have more pharmacy personnel involved in the distribution of controlled substances all had a relatively higher incidence of pilferage. It was concluded that a substantial amount of pilferage of controlled substances occurs in hospitals and that more stringent methods of control and surveillance are needed.

Drug and Narcotic Control↗
PubMed1979

Evaluation of albumin use by medical audit.

The appropriateness of albumin prescribing and accuracy of records of albumin use were studied at a 476-bed hospital. Medical records of 15 adults who had undergone surgery within one week of albumin administration were compared with eight prescribing and charting criteria that were developed by pharmacists. Charts of patients who did not meet every criteria were reviewed by a committee to determine if exceptions to the criteria were justifiable. Albumin prescribing was empirical for approximately 60% of the patients. Albumin use as judged by laboratory values was inappropriate in three patients. Charting of the amount and rate of albumin administered was inaccurate, incomplete or difficult to interpret for eight (53%) of the patients. The dosage of albumin prescribed was inappropriate for two (13%) patients. Appropriate concomitant therapy (e.g., packed red blood cells) was not prescribed for two patients. For only three patients did the patient's charge correspond to the amount charted as being administered. On an annual basis, patient charges for albumin were projected to be $9,321 less than the hospital's cost for the product. The audit identified problems in albumin prescribing and charting that, when corrected, would result in cost savings and improved patient care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Drug-related hospital admissions.

The association between hospital admissions and drug-related problems was studied in 216 patients. All patients admitted to a general 100-bed ward in a large teaching hospital over a two-month period were interviewed by the pharmacist to determine (1) prescription and nonprescription drugs regularly administered by the patient, (2) method of administration, (3) patients' compliance with prescribed therapy, and (4) signs and symptoms of adverse drug reactions. Fifty-nine (27.3%) patients were found to have a drug-related problem associated with their hospital admission. Twenty-four patients (11.1%) had an adverse drug reaction associated with their hospital admission; in only 17 (7.9%) of the patients did the adverse reaction cause the hospital admission. Adverse drug reactions and noncompliance (10.5%) appeared to be the principal factors in hospital admission. To a lesser extent, inadequate therapy, improper or erroneous drug use and drug overdose were found to be associated with hospital admissions. As to mechanism of drug reaction, a drug side effect was involved in most cases. While hospital pharmacists have traditionally concentrated on improving inpatient distribution services, this study indicates a need for the improvement of drug monitoring and education services available to patients in outpatient settings.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Flow rate maintenance and output of intravenous fluid administration sets.

Seven brands of intravenous fluid administration sets were studied to determine: (1)which set(s) maintained the most consistent flow rates; (2) if the type of fluid container (open, vented or closed, nonvented) affected the flow rates of administration sets; and (3) which set(s) closely approximated the theoretical amounts of fluid to be delivered in one hour at flow rates of 60,100 and 125 ml/hour. Six samples of each brand of administration set were tested in a laboratory setting which approximatedclinical conditions. The type of fluid container had little effect on the performance of the administration sets. The ARDL set was the most accurate in terms of the average volume of fluid delivered in 24 hours. The Burron set required fewer adjustments in 24 hours to maintain a constant flow rate. The U.S. Surgical set recordedthe smallest percent change in flow rate at the end of the first hour. The U.S. Surgical set is rated superior in overall performance. Based on the results of the study,the authors make recommendations to health care personnel, the pharmaceutical industry and the U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1975

Implementation of the medication technician concept.

The implementation of a pharmacy-controlled medication technician program is discussed. Qualified candidates are selected and trained to administer medications to patients under the supervision of a pharmacist. A centralized unit dose drug distribution system is employed. The responsibilities of the technicians and the pharmacists are presented.

Allied Health Personnel↗